Read Mistress's Master: Men in Blue, Book 3 for Free Online Page B

murmured, “She’s one of us. But not.”
    “Yes, yes. That’s exactly it.” Jeremy acted on instinct. He brushed a kiss over her parted lips. “I can’t tell you how thankful I am we met tonight, even if I hate the circumstances that led us to each other. I’m here for you, Z. No matter what.”
    “Thank you.” She tipped her face into the pillow. “For now it’s enough to sleep without worrying.”
    “You’re safe here. Sweet dreams.” He sat beside her, monitoring the subtle rise and fall of her quilt-covered chest as though he could ward off any negative energy that might plague her. Eventually satisfied she rested comfortably, he tucked her in, bussed her cheek then headed for his comrades.
    They had to make this right.
     
    Jeremy stalked down the rear staircase into the kitchen. He could use a beer or three before joining the crowd strategizing in low, urgent exchanges next door. Their consideration for the refugee he’d entrusted to their care didn’t surprise him.
    Light spilled across the slate flooring when he cracked the stainless-steel fridge and reached for a bottle of microbrew from the six-pack on the second shelf. Clean white illumination from the bulb hanging above a leftover pizza box highlighted a bulky man at the kitchen table.
    Jeremy nearly gave himself whiplash when his head swiveled.
    “Jesus, Clark.” The door shut harder than he intended. His free hand instinctively fisted. “What are you doing sitting in the dark?”
    “Waiting for you.” Mason Clark, the third angle in Lacey and Tyler’s triad, chuckled. “Take a seat for a second, would you?”
    “Sure, dickhead.” He glared as he straddled a chair at the butcher-block table. “But you could have asked like a normal human being instead of lurking in the shadows like a serial killer.”
    “I suppose.” Mason shrugged. “Where would be the fun in that?”
    “Did you have a point?” Unease settled in his gut. He had to figure out how to stop Lily from putting herself in danger. If she joined Morselli’s staff, Jeremy couldn’t possibly provide a sliver of protection. Every minute he spent spinning his wheels was a moment she might not have to waste.
    “I do.” Mason, the unofficial leader of their squad, rocked his chair onto two legs. His massive arms crossed over his chest. “Before you head in there and start making a bunch of plans you intend to throw out the window at the first opportunity, I thought I’d tell you I get it.”
    “Huh?” Jeremy checked his watch. Fuck. It was nearly two in the morning already. Would Lily still be at the club?
    “Focus, JRad,” Mason barked. “This is exactly the shit I’m talking about. You need to pull your head out of your ass and remember, for once, that you’re not the Lone-fucking-Ranger. Yeah, you’re a geek. You don’t have a partner like Ty and me. You don’t do patrols like Matt, Clint or Razor. But you’re one of us. A part of our team.”
    “I… Uh, right.” Jeremy deserved the lecture. He’d blazed past procedure, rules and better judgment on a whim dozens of times in the past. When he saw a solution, he snatched it even if it meant venturing out alone, beyond boundaries. Paperwork came later.
    “You and I have more in common than you might think. When it comes to what’s ours, we might have some control issues. At least, that’s what Ty and Lacey tell me.” He snarled. “And that’s why I’m sure this assignment is going to suck donkey dick for you.”
    When Jeremy would have denied it, Mason spoke over him.
    “Last year…with the threats to Lacey, I didn’t always keep my shit under control. You were there to set me straight. I’ll never forget you took her call that night, pieced the last of the puzzle together and organized the cavalry. Now you need to let us return the favor. Objectivity is impossible when you’re this close to the action.”
    “What are you saying?” If Mason attempted to prevent him from aiding Lily however he